Centenary celebration urges government to name Goa College of Art after Laxman Pai

Margao: The Centenary Year Celebration of Margao-born son of Goa and world-renowned artist and painter Laxman Pai, organised by Madganvcho Awaaz on Sunday, urged the Government of Goa to name the Goa College of Art after Laxman Pai and to establish a dedicated Laxman Pai Chair at Goa University, as a lasting tribute to his immense contribution to art and culture.

The centenary programme, held at Imperial Hall, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Stadium, Margao, was attended by Laxman Pai’s son Akash Pai and family, who travelled from the USA for the occasion. Artists, students, art lovers, and citizens from across Goa gathered to honour one of the State’s most influential modern artists and cultural icons.

Addressing the gathering, Madganvcho Awaaz and Youth Leader Prabhav Naik said Laxman Pai’s life and work symbolised artistic excellence, discipline, and deep cultural rootedness. He stressed that institutional recognition through the renaming of the Goa College of Art and the creation of a Chair at Goa University would ensure that Pai’s legacy is preserved and meaningfully carried forward for future generations.

Renowned artist and senior student of Laxman Pai, Prof. Mahesh Vengurlekar, along with Prof. Nirupa Naik, Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar, Maendra Alvares, and Sanjay Harmalkar, spoke on the life, philosophy, and artistic journey of the legendary painter. They recalled Pai’s uncompromising commitment to originality, his influence as a teacher, his discipline and humour, and the enduring guru–shishya tradition that shaped generations of artists.

The function began with dignitaries paying floral tributes to the portrait of Laxman Pai. Akash Pai was felicitated by Prabhav Naik on behalf of Madganvcho Awaaz, followed by the felicitation of five senior students of Laxman Pai — Prof. Mahesh Vengurlekar, Prof. Nirupa Naik, Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar, Maendra Alvares, and Sanjay Harmalkar at the hands of Akash Pai.

The centenary celebration was also attended by Prof. Ashok Shirodkar, Dr. Govind Kale, Sagar Naik Mule, Dr. Pradip Borkar, Vishal Pai Cacode, members of the Mauzo family, and several other distinguished guests and well-wishers.